Orientation Control

ABSTRACT

A method can include operating a 3-axis accelerometer having two axes that define a plane and an axis perpendicular to the plane to provide an acceleration value along each of the axes and orienting output to a display in either a portrait format or a landscape format based on comparing the acceleration values for the two axes that define the plane to a threshold that depends on the acceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to techniques forcontrolling display of information.

BACKGROUND

Various devices include a display where information may be rendered tothe display in one of two or more formats. For example, for arectangular display that includes one side longer than another, suchformats can include a portrait format and a landscape format. Further,such formats may be oriented up or down with respect to a device (e.g.,to provide four different orientations). Where a display is square,multiple orientations can also exist. Where a device is subject tospatial manipulation (e.g., a handheld device), such manipulation maytrigger an undesirable change in orientation of displayed information.As described herein, various technologies, techniques, etc., can provideenhanced orientation control.

SUMMARY

A method can include operating a 3-axis accelerometer having two axesthat define a plane and an axis perpendicular to the plane to provide anacceleration value along each of the axes and orienting output to adisplay in either a portrait format or a landscape format based oncomparing the acceleration values for the two axes that define the planeto a threshold that depends on the acceleration value for the axisperpendicular to the plane. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods,etc., are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the described implementations can be morereadily understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of examples of various configurations of a devicealong with some examples of sensor technology;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of examples of various orientation states and statetransitions for a device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of examples of sensor algorithms, state transitiondata and a method;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of a scenario for handling a device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of examples of adjustments for a device;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of examples of settings for a device;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of sensor circuitry and examples ofmethods;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example of a method; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of a system, which may be part of adevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description includes the best mode presently contemplatedfor practicing the described implementations. This description is not tobe taken in a limiting sense, but rather is made merely for the purposeof describing the general principles of the implementations. The scopeof the described implementations should be ascertained with reference tothe issued claims.

Many devices include circuitry to sense their orientation, which mayallow for switching between one or more landscape format orientationsand one or more portrait format orientations. An undesirable switch canarise, for example, when a user moves a device with a desiredorientation to place it onto a flat surface or other surface (e.g., tolay it down on a table, place it on a dashboard, etc.). Whether the usermoves the device temporarily (e.g., due to an interruption), to allowviewing by others, to allow for typing or other activity, etc., such aswitch can be annoying. Where a switch does occur, a user will usuallymanipulate the device until it returns to the desired orientation. Wherea user is in a vehicle or performing some type of activity, theannoyance may become a distraction. For example, where a driverinstructs a device to display a map (e.g., with driving directions), anundesirable flip in orientation while placing the device onto adashboard may distract the driver and give rise to a few seconds ofinattention to road conditions, vehicle control, etc. As describedherein, a mechanism that can control orientation response while a deviceis being maneuvered (e.g., by hand to a table, a desk, a dashboard,etc.) can prove quite beneficial.

Undesirable orientation changes may be associated with a two-axisapproach to orientation control. For example, given a three-dimensionalCartesian coordinate system where a display of a device lies in axy-plane and a z-axis is orthogonal to that plane, a two-axis approachto orientation control ignores z-axis information and controls landscapeand portrait orientations based solely on x-axis and y-axis information.For example, such a two-axis approach to orientation control may makeorientation determinations based on a greatest magnitude with respect togravity for an x-axis that corresponds to an up and a down portraitformat orientations and a y-axis that corresponds to an up and a downlandscape format orientations. The foregoing type of control mechanismcan result in unwanted screen orientation changes because the magnitudesof gravity (G) projected onto the x-axis or the y-axis can be largerelative to each other (triggering the orientation) while at the sametime being small relative to G projected onto z-axis.

One approach to handling such undesirable changes is referred to as az-lockout that simply “locks out” changes in orientation once a planardevice reaches a specified “lockout” angle with respect to the horizon.As an example, if the planar device reaches an angle of 25 degrees withrespect to the horizon (i.e., 65 degrees with respect to gravity), nochanges can occur in orientation of an image being displayed on thedevice.

As described herein, as an example, a mechanism can optionally disableor limit sensitivity of orientation control when gravity aligns with thez-axis to a certain extent (e.g., according to an appropriate tiltangle). Such a mechanism can act to eliminate unwanted changes as adevice is laid down onto a flat surface (e.g., a desk, a table, etc.).Such a mechanism can optionally include a table of thresholds formagnitude of G projected onto a z-axis, for example, to determine arelative difference in magnitude of G projected onto an x-axis or ay-axis (e.g., including hysteresis levels) that are necessary in orderto cause a change in orientation.

FIG. 1 shows various configurations of a device 100. The device 100 maybe configured as a cell phone, a tablet, a camera (e.g., still, video,still and video), a GPS device or other device. The device 100 mayinclude one or more features from at least one of the aforementioneddevices. The device 100 includes particular features such as one or moreprocessors 102, memory 104, power source 106, one or more networkinterfaces 108, at least one display 110 and one or more sensors 120.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 can allow for rendering informationto the display 110 in a landscape format or a portrait format. In theexample of FIG. 1, the device 100 may be hand-holdable by one or twohands where a user may manipulate the device 100 to cause rendering ofinformation to the display 110 according to a desired format ororientation.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a sensor 120 that can detect acceleration,twist (e.g., roll, pitch, yaw) or a combination of acceleration andtwist. The sensor 120 may be configured to distinguish an angle withrespect to gravity. In the example of FIG. 1, the display 110 of thedevice 100 lies in a xy-plane and the sensor 120 may be configured withone or more axes coincident with the x-axis, the y-axis or both the x-and y-axes. In the example of FIG. 1, the sensor 120 can be configuredto sense acceleration with respect to the z-axis. The sensor 120 canoptionally include a gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer, which maybe configured to sense motion with up to six degrees of freedom.

As an example, the sensor 120 can optionally be a sensor that includesvarious features of a commercially available such as the LIS302DL MEMSmotion sensor marketed by STMicroelectronics (Geneva, Switzerland). TheLIS302DL MEMS motion sensor is a three axes linear accelerometer thatincludes a sensing element and an IC interface to provide measuredacceleration (e.g., I²C/SPI serial interface). The LIS302DL sensorincludes selectable scales and can measure accelerations with an outputdata rate of 100 Hz or 400 Hz. Inertial free-fall and wake-up interruptsignals can be generated when a programmable acceleration threshold iscrossed at least in one of the three axes. The LIS302DL sensor includesprogrammable thresholds and timings for interrupt generators. As anotherexample, the sensor 120 can optionally be a sensor that includes variousfeatures of a commercially available such as the MMA8450Q three axesaccelerometer marketed by Freescale Semiconductor (Austin, Tex.).

FIG. 2 shows some example orientations of the device 100 of FIG. 1 alongwith a state transition diagram 220. The state transition diagram 220indicates that transitions may occur between various states, including alandscape format right side-up orientation state (i), a portrait formatright side-up orientation state (ii), a landscape format right side-downorientation state (iii) and a portrait format right side-downorientation state (iv).

FIG. 3 shows some examples of algorithms 320, some examples of statetransition data 330 and an example of a method 350. The algorithms 320include a single axis algorithm, a dual axes algorithm, a three axesalgorithm, a force and angle with respect to gravity algorithm and anangle with respect to gravity algorithm. While various axes arementioned (e.g., x, y and z) for some of the example algorithms 320, analgorithm may include other axes (e.g., a single axis y, a dual axes zand x, etc.).

As to the state transition data 330, such data can include statetransition settings 332 (e.g., on/off, sensitivity, lock timer,learning, etc.), state transition logic 336 (e.g., allowed transitions,disallowed transitions, transition sequence order, etc.), and one ormore state transition learning algorithms 338 (e.g., to learn behaviorof a user, optionally with respect to type of information being renderedto a display such as browser, map, GPS, video, etc.).

The method 350 includes a reception block 352 that receives one or moresensor signals, a determination block 354 to determine action based atleast in part on the one or more received sensor signals and animplementation block 356 to call for implementation of action (e.g., asdetermined per the determination block 354). In the example of FIG. 2,the blocks are shown along with circuitry 353, 355 and 357 configured toperform various functions.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a device 400 that includes a display 410 anda sensor 420 along with an example of a scenario 430 and gravity versustime data 440. In the example of FIG. 4, the sensor 420 provides forsensing along three axes x, y and z. As the sensor 420 rotates withrespect to gravity from the z-axis being orthogonal to gravity to thez-axis being aligned with gravity (e.g., 90 degrees to 0 degrees withrespect to gravity), the maximum magnitude of the signals along for thex-axis and the y-axis diminishes. Plots 425 of magnitudes along thex-axis and the y-axis are also shown where rotation occurs about thez-axis in a counter-clockwise direction (see, e.g., “pitch” in FIG. 1).As a 90 degree pitch rotation occurs, the x-axis becomes aligned withgravity and consequently, magnitude along the x-axis is at a maximum;noting that further rotation of 90 degrees would result in anothermaximum magnitude (e.g., minimum negative value). As indicated, in theexample of FIG. 4, the magnitudes for the x-axis and the y-axis crossfor a pitch angle of 45 degrees.

While magnitudes are shown, given acceleration values (e.g., which maybe positive or negative or offset), an angle may be determined for thesensor 420 with respect to rotation about the z-axis (see, e.g., “pitch”in FIG. 1). For the device 400, pitch angle can indicate whether a longedge or a short edge of the display 410 is up, for example, with respectto gravity. The device 400 can include circuitry that determines a pitchangle based on x-axis and y-axis accelerometer readings and compares thepitch angle to a threshold (e.g., a “trip angle”). In some instances,hysteresis control may provide for two thresholds: one threshold toorient from a portrait format to a landscape format and anotherthreshold to orient from a landscape format to a portrait format where,for example, a portrait to landscape threshold may be less than alandscape to portrait threshold.

In the scenario 430, a user manipulates the device 400 over a period oftime including times T1, T2, T3 and T4. As the user manipulates thedevice 400, the sensor 420 acquires data with respect to gravity 440. Asindicated, at time T4, the device is lying on a relatively flat,horizontal surface. As the z-axis is normal to the xy-plane, the sensor420 senses a gravity of approximately 1 for the z-axis and lessergravity readings for the x-axis and the y-axis; noting that if thedevice 400 was flipped over (i.e., the display 410 down), the gravitywould be approximately −1 for the z-axis.

As mentioned, a sensor may sense at a rate of a hundred hertz or more.In the scenario 430, the user may complete the motion in less than a fewseconds, which would allow for acquisition of several hundred datapoints for each axis being sensed. As described herein, such data mayoptionally be analyzed in near real time to determine rate or otherparameters associated with movement and orientation in space. Asdescribed herein, display orientation control circuitry of a device mayact to control orientation of information rendered to a display basedon, or responsive to, sensing data, analyzing sensed data, etc.

FIG. 5 shows some examples of a threshold or thresholds that depend onhow a device is oriented with respect to gravity. In a plot 550 ofacceleration along an axis perpendicular to a planar display of a deviceversus threshold, as the axis aligns with gravity (e.g., up or down),the threshold increases. For example, as the device is rotated from anorientation where the y-axis aligned with gravity to an orientationwhere the z-axis becomes aligned with gravity, the threshold fortriggering a change from one format to another increases. In the exampleof FIG. 5, for the y-axis aligned with respect to gravity, per the plot552, the threshold is 30 degrees (e.g., pitch angle), where the z-axisis at about 45 degrees with respect to gravity, per the plot 554, thethreshold is 35 degrees (e.g., pitch angle), and where the z-axis isabout 5 degrees with respect to gravity, per the plot 556, the thresholdis 45 degrees (e.g., pitch angle).

FIG. 5 also shows a table 560 that includes a z-axis column, a pitchangle column, an x-axis column and a y-axis column. The table 560 may beimplemented by reading a register of an accelerometer for a z-axis valueand then determining a pitch angle based at least in part on the z-axisvalue. As indicated, each pitch angle corresponds to a particularn-tuple, for example, a 2-tuple (e.g., a duple) of an x-axis value and ay-axis value. As an alternative, the table 560 may exclude the pitchangle column and determine an n-tuple based at least in part on a z-axisvalue. In other words, the pitch angle may be inferred from an n-tuple(e.g., including x-axis and y-axis values) or vice versa. In the exampleof FIG. 5, the pitch angle and the x-axis and y-axis values depend onthe z-axis value. Accordingly, the pitch angle, or a correspondingtuple, may be viewed as dynamic thresholds that depend on z-axisinformation.

FIG. 5 also shows plots 570 and 590 of non-linear relationships betweenz-axis information and threshold (e.g., as a pitch angle). The plot 570shows that a minimum threshold is implemented for z-axis values lessthan a certain absolute value while a maximum threshold is implementedfor z-axis values of +1 or −1 (e.g., with respect to gravity). Inbetween, the threshold changes rapidly for small changes in z-axisvalues until about +/−0.5. For the plot 590, the threshold changesslowly for changes in z-axis values until about +/−0.5 where,thereafter, a small change in a z-axis value leads to a large change inthe threshold (e.g., up to a maximum threshold).

As an example, a device may operate such that, as the device was loweredto horizontal, it would take a larger shift in position to trigger anorientation change. Such a scheme may act to change a portrait tolandscape threshold, a landscape to portrait threshold, a portrait tolandscape and a landscape to portrait threshold or both a portrait tolandscape threshold and a landscape to portrait threshold responsive toa z-axis reading in a linear, a non-linear or a linear and non-linearmanner.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a device 600 that includes a display 610 anda sensor 620 may be manipulated and positioned with respect to one ormore surfaces such as a relatively flat, horizontal surface 630 and anangled, cradle surface 634 of a cradle or mount 632. In the example ofFIG. 6, the device 600 includes device setting options 640, including adefault setting with respect to a gravity vector 642 and a customsetting with respect to a gravity vector 644.

As to the default setting 642, an increase in the magnitude of a gravityvector normal to the xy-plane (e.g., plane of the display or parallel tothat of the display) may cause the device 600 to adjust a threshold forpurposes of orienting information rendered to the display 610 or lock anorientation of information rendered to the display 610. Such a settingmay correspond to a flat, horizontal surface mode. In contrast, thecustom setting 644 may include an offset from a normal vector thatcorresponds to a mount mode, optionally set by user instruction,learning, etc.

As an example, the table 560 of FIG. 5 may shift entries to accommodatea z-axis offset from a default setting or another table may be used inresponse to a custom setting. A custom setting may be automatic or maybe responsive to user input, a particular application being used, etc.The table 560 of FIG. 5 or other table may optionally be statetransition data for implementing state transition logic (see, e.g., FIG.3).

As shown in FIG. 6, the device 600 may reside in the cradle or mount 632for extending periods of time and the device 600 may rank its cradle ormount position as a frequently occurring position. In turn, the device600 may automatically set an orientation lock (or other orientationsetting such as an offset, etc.) when the device 600 approaches thecradle or mount position. In instances where a user adjusts the cradleor mount 632, the device 600 may automatically relearn and use the new,adjusted position for purposes of orientation control. Such relearningmay include a bidirectional ranking algorithm that tracks the fall inranking of one position and the rise in ranking of another to therebyreplace the falling position with the rising position.

As another example, the device 600 may include a tap feature where auser can tap the device 600 (e.g., optionally with a tap sequence) tocause the device 600 to define a custom setting. In such an example,upon positioning the device 600 in the cradle or mount 632, the user maydouble tap the device 600 (e.g., on an edge of the device 600) tothereby cause the device 600 to define a custom setting that correspondsto the position of the device 600 in the cradle or mount 632 (e.g., toadapt, adjust or substitute a table, equation, parameter, etc.).

With respect to the enabling one or more settings, whether default,custom or custom and default, the device 600 may include a tap feature,a gesture feature, a shake feature, etc., that causes the device 600 toenable (or disable) orientation control. For example, where a cell phoneis used to display a map, a user may tap the phone quickly to enable acustom setting that allows for a custom orientation adjustment, a customorientation locking or that optionally locks orientation. As to tappinga device, sensor circuitry can include tap detection features (e.g.,acceleration due to tapping). Thus, a device can optionally includesensor circuitry configured for both tap detection and orientationcontrol where tap detection can be used as input for setting orientationcontrol.

FIG. 7 shows an example of sensor circuitry 720 along with examples ofmethods 730, 750 and 770. The circuitry 720 includes a multiplexer (MUX)configured to receive signals from sensors in three axes and to directthe information to an amplifier that amplifies the signals for receiptby an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC can provide digitaloutput to logic circuitry. As shown, the logic circuitry can receive andtransmit information via an interface (or interfaces), which mayoptionally operate according to one or more standards (e.g., I²C, SPI,etc.). The circuitry 720 can include a self test block, a referenceblock, timing circuits, a clock, one or more logic interrupts, etc.

In the example of FIG. 7, the circuitry 720 can include digital signalprocessing (DSP) circuitry, which may provide for features such as aconfigurable buffer (e.g., FIFO, circular, etc.), free-fall and motiondetection, transient detection (e.g., fast motion, jolt), enhancedorientation with hysteresis and optionally z-lockout, shake detection,tap and multi-tap detection, etc.

As to z-lockout, the aforementioned MMA8450Q sensor includes a z-lockoutfeature that relies on a z-angle to lockout transitions between portraitand landscape formats. For the MMA8450Q, the angle is set to one of 8angles ranging between 25 degrees and 50 degrees. Such an approach isstatic and does not depend on rate of movement, offsets, customsettings, etc., and can account for surfaces within the z-angle lockoutlimits only. In contrast, a dynamic approach can alter lockout, one ormore orientation thresholds, etc., and optionally gather informationthat may help to understand a user's intent such that operation is notnecessarily limited to a static z-lockout angle that is referencedsolely to alignment directly with or directly against Earth's gravity(e.g., or an equivalent reference system with an angle defined withrespect to the horizon being a plane and Earth's gravity being normal tothat plane, which may be a “sine” reference as opposed to a “cosine”reference as in FIG. 3).

As described herein, circuitry may account for hysteresis as tolandscape to portrait and portrait to landscape transitions (e.g., byusing different trip angles). As described herein, circuitry may accountfor user movement hysteresis. For example, characteristics of usermovement to place a device onto a surface can differ fromcharacteristics of user movement when picking up the device from thesurface. As an example, a user may place a device more rapidly onto asurface compared to picking up the device from the surface (e.g., due tograsping time to get fingers positioned with respect to the device).Thus, circuitry to control orientation may depend on one or moreset-down parameters (e.g., values, angles, accelerations, etc.) and oneor more different pick-up parameters (e.g., values, angles,accelerations, etc.).

In the example of FIG. 7, the circuitry 720 can include features toissue an interrupt responsive to an inertial event based on one or moreof the sensed signals. For example, a threshold may be set for an axiswhere sensing an acceleration in excess of the threshold triggersissuance of an interrupt. Such an interrupt may be directed to a controlblock for controlling orientation of information being rendered to adisplay, for example, to lock the orientation or take other action. Asdescribed herein, such an interrupt may be implemented for one or moreother purposes in addition to orientation control. For example, such aninterrupt may also be a free-fall interrupt. Such an interrupt may bemulti-threshold, for example, a first acceleration causes an orientationlock whereas a second, faster acceleration causes a device shut down(e.g., protective action responsive to dropping the device). Such anapproach may be referred to as a tiered threshold approach where actionsare triggered responsive to increasing, decreasing or other changes inacceleration (e.g., optionally multi-axis changes).

As shown in FIG. 7, the method 730 includes a format block 732 for aparticular display format (e.g., Format A). In a monitor block 734, oneor more sensors are monitored for information. In a decision block 736,a decision is made as to whether a derivative of a sensor signal isgreater than zero. If the decision block 736 decides that the derivativeis not greater than zero, the method 730 continues at the monitor block734. However, if the decision block 736 decides that the derivative isgreater than zero, the method 730 continues in another decision block738, which decides whether the derivative is greater than a derivativelimit. If the decision block 738 decides that the derivative is notgreater than the derivative limit, the method 730 continues at themonitor block 734. However, if the decision block 738 decides that thederivative is greater than the derivative limit, the method 730continues to a control block 740 that acts to control orientation ofinformation rendered to a display.

In the example of FIG. 7, “Z” in the method 730 may correspond to anaxis normal to a display (e.g., a xy-plane) or an offset axis (e.g.,transformed axis), for example, as described with respect to FIG. 6.Further, depending on coordinate configuration, one or more signs may bechanged (e.g., plus or minus, greater than to less than, etc.). Thepurpose of the decision block 736 is to determine whether movement istoward a position corresponding to a greater Z magnitude while thepurpose of the decision block 738 is to determine whether movementtoward that position is occurring above a certain speed. Further, thedecision block 738 may further include a timer that optionally providestimes for an integral feature to estimate a distance moved (e.g.,integral of dZ/dt with respect to time). As an example, if a distancemoved exceeds a distance limit, it may be inferred that a user is movingthe device from one position to another (see, e.g., the scenario 430 ofFIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 7, the method 750 includes a format block 752 for aparticular display format (e.g., Format A). In a monitor block 754, oneor more sensors are monitored for information. In a decision block 756,a decision is made as to whether a derivative of a sensor signal is lessthan zero. If the decision block 756 decides that the derivative is notless than zero, the method 750 continues at the monitor block 754.However, if the decision block 756 decides that the derivative is lessthan zero, the method 750 continues in another decision block 758, whichdecides whether the derivative is less than a derivative limit. If thedecision block 758 decides that the derivative is not less than thederivative limit, the method 750 continues at the monitor block 754.However, if the decision block 758 decides that the derivative is lessthan the derivative limit, the method 750 continues to a control block750 that acts to control orientation of information rendered to adisplay.

In the example of FIG. 7, the parameter φ may be an angle of a normal toa display plane with respect to gravity. For example, as the normalaligns with gravity, the angle φ decreases. As with the method 730, thenormal may be with respect to gravity or correspond to a directionoffset (e.g., transformed) with respect to gravity. As shown in theexample of FIG. 6, a custom setting 644 may be set (e.g., by a user, byan algorithm, etc.) to correspond to a particular position. In such anexample, the parameter φ may be measured with respect to the directionof the z-axis when the device 600 is in the cradle or mount 632. Thus,the method 750 can act responsive to information indicative of a usermoving a device to a particular, custom position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the method 770 includes a format block 772 for aparticular display format (e.g., Format A). In a monitor block 774, oneor more sensors are monitored for information. In a decision block 776,a decision is made as to whether a value of a parameter is less than aparameter limit. If the decision block 776 decides that the value is notless than the value limit, the method 770 continues at the monitor block774. However, if the decision block 776 decides that the value is lessthan the value limit, the method 770 continues at a control block 780that acts to control orientation of information rendered to a display.

Referring to the example of FIG. 6, where the parameter is an angle, theangle may be an angle associated with a default setting such as thesetting 642 or an angle associated with a custom setting such as thesetting 644. As mentioned, a device can optionally include circuitry toautomatically detect a custom setting (e.g., via ranking of frequentpositions). Such an approach may act to maintain a default setting,disable a default setting or rely solely on learned settings thatcorrespond to frequent positions. Alternatively, or additionally, adevice may include circuitry that allows for user input for one or moredefault settings, one or more custom settings, etc.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a method 800 that includes an input block 804that provides information to two decision blocks 808 and 820. Thedecision block 808 decides if an adjustment should be made toorientation control while the decision block 820 decides whether anadjustment should be made to orientation of information rendered to adisplay. The decision block 820 may operate according to a defaultsetting or a custom setting that determines whether an adjustment shouldbe made to orientation of information rendered to a display. In eitherinstance, the setting may optionally be dynamic and depend on input perthe input block 804 (e.g., sensor input, application input, user input,etc.).

As shown in the example of FIG. 8, the decision block 808 decides basedat least in part on input from the input block 804 whether to adjustorientation control (e.g., adjust one or more parameters for anorientation control process). Where the decision block 808 decides notto adjust orientation control, the method 800 continues at the inputblock 804. However, if the decision block 808 decides that adjustment isappropriate, the method 800 continues at an adjustment block 812 thatadjusts orientation control. As indicated, the adjustment block 812 caninform the decision block 820. For example, the adjustment block 812 mayadjust a pitch angle threshold based on an accelerometer reading. Inturn, the decision block 820 will rely on the pitch angle threshold andinput received from the input block 804 to decide if an adjustment toorientation should be made by the adjustment block 824. In such amanner, the method 800 can make dynamic decisions as to orientationcontrol that may enhance a user's experience.

As to the decision blocks 808 and 820, such decisions may be made on anyof a variety of factors. For example, where a device shuts down, adevice switches applications, a device moves from its position toanother position, where a device timer expires, where an applicationexecuting on the device issues a command, etc., a decision process maybe effected, which, in turn, impacts whether or how an orientationadjustment may be made. A reset may optionally occur (e.g., to a defaultsetting) in response to tapping a device, inputting a gesture (e.g., viaa display), shaking a device, etc.

As described herein, a method may optionally operate to slow down ordelay circuitry. For example, if a device is being moved in a particulardirection, rate, etc., a command may be issued to delay action of formatcontrol circuitry, display circuitry, etc. In such an example,responsive to movement of the device, data may be ignored, analysisforegone, etc., for a period of time such that an orientation ofinformation being rendered to a display does not change. Such anapproach may be referred to as a blanking or blackout period that actsto maintain a particular orientation. Recovery or release from one ormore blanking or blackout periods may occur automatically (e.g.,expiration of a timer) or in response to user or other input (e.g.,input from an application). As an example, upon receipt of acommunication such as a phone call, a text message, etc., an instructionmay be issued to ignore orientation control, optionally with anaccompanying instruction to rendering of information to a display in aparticular orientation.

A device may optionally include a graphical user control or othercontrol to associate one or more orientation control settings with oneor more applications. Such applications may include a map application, avideo application, a phone application, a text message application, anemail application, a slideshow application, a web browser application,etc.

As described herein, a method can include operating a 3-axisaccelerometer having two axes that define a plane and an axisperpendicular to the plane to provide an acceleration value along eachof the axes and orienting output to a display in either a portraitformat or a landscape format based on comparing the acceleration valuesfor the two axes that define the plane to a threshold that depends onthe acceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane. In sucha method, the threshold may increase with respect to an increase in theacceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane. Anacceleration value for an axis perpendicular to a plane may correspondto an angle with respect to gravity, for example, such that a thresholddepends directly on the angle of the plane with respect to gravity.

As described herein, a threshold may include a linear relationship withrespect to the acceleration value for the axis perpendicular to theplane or may include a non-linear relationship with respect to theacceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane or acombination of linear and non-linear relationships. As described herein,a threshold may include a constant value for an acceleration value forthe axis perpendicular to the plane greater than an upper limit, aconstant value for an acceleration value for the axis perpendicular tothe plane less than a lower limit or a combination of both.

As described herein, a threshold may depend on a time derivative ofacceleration, for example, a time derivative of acceleration for theaxis perpendicular to the plane. As described herein, a method mayinclude locking a format responsive to a determined rate of change inacceleration greater than a predetermined rate.

As described herein, various acts, steps, etc., can be implemented asinstructions stored in one or more computer-readable media. For example,one or more computer-readable media can include computer-executableinstructions to instruct a device to read data from a 3-axisaccelerometer; adjust an orientation change limit based on read data fora first axis; compare read data for a second axis to read data for athird axis; and output an orientation control signal based on theorientation change limit and the comparison of read data for a secondaxis to read data for a third axis. In such an example, the instructionsto instruct a device to output an orientation control signal may includeinstructions to instruct the device to render information to a displayin a portrait format orientation or a landscape format orientation orthe instructions to instruct a device to adjust an orientation changelimit may include instructions to instruct the device to determine achange in at least one magnitude of acceleration with respect togravity.

As described herein, a communication device can include a planardisplay; circuitry to measure an angle of a vector perpendicular to theplanar display with respect to gravity and to measure an angle ofrotation of the planar display; circuitry to adjust a threshold based onthe measured angle of the vector perpendicular to the planar display;and circuitry to orient output to the planar display in a firstorientation or a second orientation based on a comparison of measuredangle of rotation of the planar display to the threshold (e.g., based onthe angle of rotation and the threshold). Such a device may include arectangular planar display where the first orientation and the secondorientation are a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation. Asdescribed herein, a device can include an operating system wherecircuitry to orient output to a planar display includes circuitry toinstruct the operating system. A device may include an application wherecircuitry to orient output to a planar display includes circuitry toinstruct the application (e.g., directly or via an operating system). Adevice may include a 3-axis accelerometer, for example, provided ascircuitry to measure acceleration and to provide values to one or moreother circuits. As described herein, a communication device can includeone or more network circuits to connect to one or more networks (e.g.,Internet, cellular, BLUETOOTH®, etc.).

The term “circuit” or “circuitry” is used in the summary, description,and/or claims. As is well known in the art, the term “circuitry”includes all levels of available integration, e.g., from discrete logiccircuits to the highest level of circuit integration such as VLSI, andincludes programmable logic components programmed to perform thefunctions of an embodiment as well as general-purpose or special-purposeprocessors programmed with instructions to perform those functions.

While various examples of circuits or circuitry have been discussed,FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an illustrative example of a computersystem 900. The system 900 may be a desktop computer system, such as oneof the ThinkCentre® or ThinkPad® series of personal computers sold byLenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville, N.C., or a workstation computer, suchas the ThinkStation®, which are sold by Lenovo (US) Inc. of Morrisville,N.C.; however, as apparent from the description herein, a device mayinclude other features or only some of the features of the system 900.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system 900 includes a so-called chipset 910. Achipset refers to a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that aredesigned to work together. Chipsets are usually marketed as a singleproduct (e.g., consider chipsets marketed under the brands INTEL®, AMD®,etc.).

In the example of FIG. 9, the chipset 910 has a particular architecture,which may vary to some extent depending on brand or manufacturer. Thearchitecture of the chipset 910 includes a core and memory control group920 and an I/O controller hub 950 that exchange information (e.g., data,signals, commands, etc.) via, for example, a direct management interfaceor direct media interface (DMI) 942 or a link controller 944. In theexample of FIG. 9, the DMI 942 is a chip-to-chip interface (sometimesreferred to as being a link between a “northbridge” and a“southbridge”).

The core and memory control group 920 include one or more processors 922(e.g., single core or multi-core) and a memory controller hub 926 thatexchange information via a front side bus (FSB) 924. As describedherein, various components of the core and memory control group 920 maybe integrated onto a single processor die, for example, to make a chipthat supplants the conventional “northbridge” style architecture.

The memory controller hub 926 interfaces with memory 940. For example,the memory controller hub 926 may provide support for DDR SDRAM memory(e.g., DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.). In general, the memory 940 is a type ofrandom-access memory (RAM). It is often referred to as “system memory”.

The memory controller hub 926 further includes a low-voltagedifferential signaling interface (LVDS) 932. The LVDS 932 may be aso-called LVDS Display Interface (LDI) for support of a display device992 (e.g., a CRT, a flat panel, a projector, etc.). A block 938 includessome examples of technologies that may be supported via the LVDSinterface 932 (e.g., serial digital video, HDMI/DVI, display port). Thememory controller hub 926 also includes one or more PCI-expressinterfaces (PCI-E) 934, for example, for support of discrete graphics936. Discrete graphics using a PCI-E interface has become an alternativeapproach to an accelerated graphics port (AGP). For example, the memorycontroller hub 926 may include a 16-lane (x16) PCI-E port for anexternal PCI-E-based graphics card. A system may include AGP or PCI-Efor support of graphics.

The I/O hub controller 950 includes a variety of interfaces. The exampleof FIG. 9 includes a SATA interface 951, one or more PCI-E interfaces952 (optionally one or more legacy PCI interfaces), one or more USBinterfaces 953, a LAN interface 954 (more generally a networkinterface), a general purpose I/O interface (GPIO) 955, a low-pin count(LPC) interface 970, a power management interface 961, a clock generatorinterface 962, an audio interface 963 (e.g., for speakers 994), a totalcost of operation (TCO) interface 964, a system management bus interface(e.g., a multi-master serial computer bus interface) 965, and a serialperipheral flash memory/controller interface (SPI Flash) 966, which, inthe example of FIG. 9, includes BIOS 968 and boot code 990. With respectto network connections, the I/O hub controller 950 may includeintegrated gigabit Ethernet controller lines multiplexed with a PCI-Einterface port. Other network features may operate independent of aPCI-E interface. One or more interfaces of the system 900 may besuitable for receiving, transmitting or receiving and transmittinginformation with a sensor such as an accelerometer (e.g., to effectuateorientation or other control).

The interfaces of the I/O hub controller 950 provide for communicationwith various devices, networks, etc. For example, the SATA interface 951provides for erasing, reading and writing information on one or moredrives 980 such as HDDs, SDDs or a combination thereof. The I/O hubcontroller 950 may also include an advanced host controller interface(AHCI) to support one or more drives 980. The PCI-E interface 952 allowsfor wireless connections 982 to devices, networks, etc. The USBinterface 953 provides for input devices 884 such as keyboards (KB),mice and various other devices (e.g., cameras, phones, storage, mediaplayers, etc.).

In the example of FIG. 9, the LPC interface 970 provides for use of oneor more ASICs 971, a trusted platform module (TPM) 972, a super I/O 973,a firmware hub 974, BIOS support 975 as well as various types of memory976 such as ROM 977, Flash 978, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) 979. Withrespect to the TPM 972, this module may be in the form of a chip thatcan be used to authenticate software and hardware devices. For example,a TPM may be capable of performing platform authentication and may beused to verify that a system seeking access is the expected system.

The system 900, upon power on, may be configured to execute boot code990 for the BIOS 968, as stored within the SPI Flash 966, and thereafterprocesses data under the control of one or more operating systems andapplication software (e.g., stored in system memory 940). An operatingsystem may be stored in any of a variety of locations and accessed, forexample, according to instructions of the BIOS 968. Again, as describedherein, a device or other machine may include fewer or more featuresthan shown in the system 900 of FIG. 9. For example, the device 100 ofFIG. 1 may include some or all of the features shown in the system 900(e.g., as part of basic or control circuitry).

CONCLUSION

Although various examples of methods, devices, systems, etc., have beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matterdefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features andacts are disclosed as examples of forms of implementing the claimedmethods, devices, systems, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: operating a 3-axisaccelerometer having two axes that define a plane and an axisperpendicular to the plane to provide an acceleration value along eachof the axes; and orienting output to a display in either a portraitformat or a landscape format based on comparing the acceleration valuesfor the two axes that define the plane to a threshold that depends onthe acceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the threshold increases with respect to anincrease in the acceleration value for the axis perpendicular to theplane.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the threshold comprises a linearrelationship with respect to the acceleration value for the axisperpendicular to the plane.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thethreshold comprises a non-linear relationship with respect to theacceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the threshold comprises a constant value foran acceleration value for the axis perpendicular to the plane greaterthan an upper limit.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the thresholdcomprises a constant value for an acceleration value for the axisperpendicular to the plane less than a lower limit.
 7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the threshold depends on a time derivative ofacceleration.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the time derivativecomprises a time derivative of acceleration for the axis perpendicularto the plane.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the acceleration valuefor the axis perpendicular to the plane corresponds to an angle withrespect to gravity.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the thresholddepends directly on the angle of the plane with respect to gravity. 11.The method of claim 1 further comprising locking the format responsiveto a determined rate of change in acceleration greater than apredetermined rate.
 12. One or more computer-readable media comprisingprocessor-executable instructions to instruct a device to: read datafrom a 3-axis accelerometer; adjust an orientation change limit based onread data for a first axis; compare read data for a second axis to readdata for a third axis; and output an orientation control signal based onthe orientation change limit and the comparison of read data for asecond axis to read data for a third axis.
 13. The one or morecomputer-readable media of claim 12 wherein the instructions to instructa device to output an orientation control signal comprise instructionsto instruct the device to render information to a display in a portraitformat orientation or a landscape format orientation.
 14. The one ormore computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein the instructions toinstruct a device to adjust an orientation change limit compriseinstructions to instruct the device to determine a change in at leastone magnitude of acceleration with respect to gravity.
 15. The one ormore computer-readable media of claim 12 further comprisingprocessor-executable instructions to instruct the device to renderinformation to a display in an orientation controlled by the orientationcontrol signal and wherein the first axis comprises an axisperpendicular the display.
 16. A communication device comprising: aplanar display; circuitry to measure an angle of a vector perpendicularto the planar display with respect to gravity and to measure an angle ofrotation of the planar display; circuitry to adjust a threshold based onthe measured angle of the vector perpendicular to the planar display;and circuitry to orient output to the planar display in a firstorientation or a second orientation based on a comparison of measuredangle of rotation of the planar display to the threshold.
 17. Thecommunication device of claim 16 comprising a rectangular planar displaywherein the first orientation and the second orientation comprise aportrait orientation and a landscape orientation.
 18. The communicationdevice of claim 16 further comprising an operating system wherein thecircuitry to orient output to the planar display comprises circuitry toinstruct the operating system.
 19. The communication device of claim 16further comprising an operating system and an application wherein thecircuitry to orient output to the planar display comprises circuitry toinstruct the application.
 20. The communication device of claim 16wherein the circuitry to measure comprises a 3-axis accelerometer.